THE SUMMER TRAGEDY

Darkness ebbed away as April began and the early summer sun never ceased to set. The sweet songs of cuckoos woke me up and the smell of neem made me content. Exams ended and holidays began. Vacations were planned. Summer Camps were searched for all through the locality. New Friends were made. Cousins reunited with me. No evening would go wasted. I was never afraid to head out of my house in the afternoon. The sun never scared me, it excited me. Back when I was a child, summer was a dream come true. Swimming, cycling, eating loads of mangoes, roaming around the country with my parents, going to every house in the neighborhood looking for children of my age, missing school and waiting for another wonderful academic year to begin, it was all I could ever have asked for. 
Today, the same summer means nothing more than unbearable heat. I hardly get out of my house due to the fear of tanning. My socialising skills have shrunk to a minimum. With wisdom came fear of health risks that summer poses. Summer makes me want to sit at home with the air conditioner on at all times. Exams are far from finished. With age came responsibilities, and hence the pressure of work. Holidays that I get are wasted on bed. Waking up early in the morning and sleeping early are the greatest challenges. Hobbies are no more nurtured. Life just goes on, with no excitement and only fear.
Back when I was a kid, I looked at the working class and college goers and wondered how awesome their lives are. I always wanted to become one of them. Today, if god gives me one wish, I would ask him to take me back to childhood.
What age has really given us, I wonder!
Well, all I can do to be happy again of course, is to become a child at heart.